The Owner Of The Thousand Gold Coins Is A Military Official - Chapter 79

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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Chapter 79

“I will distribute grain using the Imperial Court’s name.”

It was a simple and clear answer.

The kind of answer anyone could understand without detailed explanation.

If he had simply answered that he would just distribute it, naturally Father and Mother would have been disappointed.

As the eldest son and only son, being kind was good, but that was only when ability followed behind it.

For a single family, this might still be acceptable, but as the Patriarch of Cheongeumjang, it was unqualified.

“Can you explain why you gave such an answer?”

Cheongun didn’t take this problem too seriously.

He didn’t think Father and Mother were asking because they didn’t know, but simply thought they were curious about what answer he would give.

“If the emperor has changed and we distribute grain for relief…”

The predetermined answer was only one anyway.

“Wouldn’t we be accused of treason?”

“…”

Cheongun spoke such a heavy word far too easily.

“Since Cheongeumjang has spread roots throughout the world, even places with mere beggars become guests.”

If they moderately overlooked that Cheongeumjang had joined in relief efforts, it was a method that would create future guests as well.

A better method than this?

Of course there was.

Not just one, but quite many actually.

However, there was no more efficient method than this.

Because there were no side effects.

“There will be those who try to check this.”

“If that’s a concern, even giving up half of what we have now wouldn’t be enough.”

Had he ever seen those with much being satisfied?

These were people who, when given one thing, didn’t become satisfied but thought they could obtain the rest as well.

“It sounds like you’re saying we should bow our heads to the Imperial Court.”

Father’s eyes flashed sharply.

As if threatening that he would be disappointed unless a better answer was provided.

And Cheongun looked at Father as if it were natural and answered.

“Isn’t that obvious?”

“Obvious?”

“It’s the Imperial Court. If Cheongeumjang holds half the wealth of the world, then the Imperial Court encompasses the whole.”

He wondered what meaning such questioning could have.

The greatest power Cheongun thought of was precisely force.

Though primitive above all else, there were things that were only possible that way.

Things like gold and power.

All of these had to be backed by this primitive force.

Either one’s own martial prowess was excellent, or through methods like using that gold and power to place such people under oneself.

Cheongeumjang lacked that force.

To the extent that it was questionable how they maintained their current scale.

“Don’t you have any thoughts of taking the Yuan examination?”

“The Yuan examination?”

“Yes. After taking all the way to the Bu examination, shouldn’t you at least become a Sujae?”

He wasn’t particularly interested in this kind of scholarship.

Wasn’t it an examination taken with a hidden identity anyway?

He was deeply worried that it would only create unnecessary trouble.

‘Do it moderately…’

“Don’t think of doing it moderately. I don’t hope for beyond that, so just take this Yuan examination.”

Father’s attitude was quite firm.

He thought there would be nothing good about taking the Imperial Court’s civil examination.

“I will do so.”

Still, wasn’t he Father?

The one and only father throughout his previous life.

“The schedule isn’t that urgent, so continue as you have been and take it when appropriate.”

“Understood.”

“Are you planning to travel far again this time?”

“Yes. I don’t know how long it will take.”

Father, lost in thought for a moment, soon spoke up.

“Don’t forget that you must now fulfill the duties of Patriarch as well. Until now you’ve handled everything well, but now the time has come.”

“Understood. Ah, Father.”

“Yes. What is it?”

“The gold I can use. How much is it?”

“…?”

What kind of question was this?

If Cheongun had been an ordinary child, he would have thought he hadn’t yet grasped the scale of Cheongeumjang, but Cheongun was not.

Even if not as much as himself, he knew well enough to proudly call himself blood of Cheongeumjang, the Patriarch who would lead the future.

That Cheongun could travel around like this was possible because he had already proven to Father and Grandfather that he had such qualifications.

Therefore, he was afraid.

Wondering just how much he intended to spend.

“What, are you planning to prepare several castles?”

“I’m simply curious. Whether limitations exist for me or not.”

He had thought he was simply curious about the amount, but apparently that wasn’t it.

To wonder whether the thing called constraints existed at all.

Other things couldn’t be easily discussed, but at least regarding this wealth, no constraints existed.

“Use as much as you like.”

“Understood.”

For that, there were things that needed to be prepared.

Precisely a disguised identity.

He had to remain as a figure with considerable wealth.

Something everyone could accept.

As Cheongun left Jangzujeon and was about to return to his chamber, somehow Mother had followed him out.

“My son, I don’t know what you’re trying to do, but…”

Mother, showing her always kind smile, soon took something from her bosom and handed it to Cheongun.

“This is…”

“An identity token. You’ll need it, won’t you?”

Whether Mother was so quick-witted because she was Mother, or if she was originally such a person.

“Yes. I needed it just now.”

“If you spend money like that in places no one has heard of, anyone would be suspicious, so I included Cheongeumjang’s name.”

“Who is it?”

“Well, what does that matter? I made it as an adopted child, so do as you please.”

An adopted child.

No one would suspect the lack of limitations, and it could also substantiate the remaining rumors about the Eldest Son of Cheongeumjang.

“Oh, right. Do you need a face-changing mask?”

“Yes.”

“Oh my. It pains my heart to have to cover that handsome face. Still, make it as ugly as possible. That way it’ll be more shocking when revealed later, won’t it?”

For some reason, Mother seemed more excited.

“I will do so. You need not worry.”

“To be precise, it’s not worry but anticipation.”

Cheongun’s disguised identity was simply decided.

An only son afflicted with a chronic illness, unable to move freely.

One who couldn’t even show his face despite the Former Patriarch personally bringing all sorts of beneficial things for his health.

Having no choice but to adopt a son.

Cheongjin’s brother who died long ago.

Also leaving behind the righteous justification that he was the only bloodline left by Cheongun’s uncle.

“I’ve prepared the human skin mask for you.”

“Yes, Mother. Thank you.”

“No need for thanks. Our son just needs to continue as he has been.”

Continue as he has been.

Does Mother know everything about Cheongun’s actions?

While Cheongun wasn’t particularly curious about others’ identities if they weren’t closely related, Mother was different.

Wasn’t she family?

“Someone’s coming.”

“Who…”

Wondering what she meant, Cheongun looked in the direction Mother was gazing and saw a man entering with an expression full of dissatisfaction.

“Tsk… this place seems even more spacious than before.”

Though it wasn’t exactly a positive comment, neither Mother nor the others whose presence could be felt seemed particularly bothered by it.

Somewhat informal attire.

Unkempt hair and such – if his clothes were more ragged, one might mistake him for a beggar.

“Ah, Sowol. You were out here.”

“Yes. It’s been a long time.”

Someone who called Mother by her name.

Not particularly pleasant.

Since he could decide his attitude after hearing what kind of relationship they had, Cheongun maintained proper courtesy.

“I am called Cheongun.”

“Yes. So you’re Cheongun. Seeing you like this… I understand why Sowol bragged about you so much.”

The man who had briefly exchanged greetings with Sowol looked at Cheongun again and continued speaking.

“It seems Sowol didn’t tell you about me. I am called Jangui.”

Jangui.

It was a name he’d never heard before.

“Brother. I think you should explain something other than just your name?”

“Ahem… knowing what I dislike, yet not introducing me beforehand.”

Mother, who smiled at those words, provided the explanation instead.

“Five years ago. He achieved second place in the imperial examination before His Majesty.”

The imperial examination conducted before the Emperor.

Second place in that.

He looked like a wastrel from his appearance, yet he was second place.

The world wasn’t vast for nothing.

Cheongun had been completely unaware of such an extraordinary person.

“Your father made such an earnest request that I made some time.”

He could guess what kind of request it was.

Since he was told to take the preliminary examination, perhaps this man would oversee it.

“Thank you.”

“…Yes.”

The gaze looking at Cheongun was somehow strange.

Though Cheongun had met countless people, such a person wasn’t very common.

And Jangui was feeling exactly the same impression that matched Cheongun’s assessment.

‘I heard he hasn’t even reached twenty yet…’

How could his eyes be like this?

Neither wary.

Nor completely at ease either.

They were truly deep eyes, yet their depth was unknowable.

Though he had directly seen and experienced the power struggles of countless authority figures in the Imperial Court, he had never seen such eyes.

Their eyes, though always different, always contained the same thing.

Namely, uncontrollable desire.

But eyes that didn’t convey that feeling – this was the first time in his life.

Even beggars on the street have desire for life, and the Emperor who seemed to have everything was the same.

Originally, the unknown is directly connected to fear.

Especially since his insight was deep enough to occupy the position of second place, the fear of the unknown approached him quite significantly.

“However, I’m planning to leave soon. Are you perhaps going to accompany me?”

“Hm? Leave? Where to?”

What was this?

Had he come without knowing anything?

“Oh my. Didn’t you hear?”

“What on earth…”

“I have places to go and things to do, so I plan to be away.”

“Jin… you rascal…”

He didn’t know if he’d come from the Imperial Court, but it must have been a long distance.

“First… first, I understand. I need to meet with your father briefly.”

With that, he hurriedly disappeared toward Jangzujeon, and Cheongun and Mother showed momentary bewilderment.

“It seems he didn’t think you’d be leaving right away either.”

“Didn’t you tell him, Mother?”

“How would I know our son’s mind? You’re so unusual. Won’t you handle things well on your own?”

“Yes.”

Returning to his room, Cheongun began preparing to depart.

Cheongun was in such a hurry that it felt almost frantic, beyond just being fast.

This was also because he knew better than anyone that this timing was most crucial.

He hadn’t even had proper conversations with those he’d brought to help, nor had he sparred with them.

“Still, if I can just finish this properly…”

He would finally be able to find some breathing room.

The things Cheongun considered minimum requirements.

This would be the moment they were prepared.

However, this journey might be longer for that very reason.

While the Demonic Sect was vast as a single force, the righteous martial world was not.

Therefore, one matter doesn’t end with just one thing.

That’s also why he had created such an identity.

Immature.

A man of insignificant appearance but overflowing wealth.

Cheongun’s gaze fell upon the human skin mask placed on the table.

“…How exquisite.”

To think there was such a skilled craftsman.

As he tried to put it on once.

“…?”

The human skin mask that touched his face distorted as if it had touched something it shouldn’t have, losing its original form.

“What is this…”

He tried taking an intact part, but the result was the same.

“Tsk…”

It can’t be helped.

His current appearance wasn’t widely known anyway.

The general framework remains the same.

If things could change based on Cheongun’s appearance alone, he wouldn’t have invested this much time and effort.

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This chapter was translated by Lunox Team. To support us and help keep this series going, visit our website: LunoxScans.com
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